About poi leaf (Basella alba):
Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. It is rich in vitamins-A vitamin-C, iron and calcium. It has been shown to contain certain phenolic phytochemicals, and it has antioxidant properties. It is also called Malabar Spinach. There are two varieties - green and red.
The stem of the Basella alba is green with green leaves and the stem of the cultivar Basella alba Rubra is reddish-purple. the leaves form green and as the plant reaches maturity as a anual, older leaves will develop purple pigment starting at the base of the leave and working towards the end. The stem when crushed usually emits a strong scent. Malabar spinach can be found at many Asian supermarkets, as well as farmers' markets.
Use of poi leaf:
The leaves of this vegetable are one of the main ingredients in an all vegetable dish called utan that is served over rice. It is usually cooked with sardines, onions, garlic, and parsley. In Mangalorean Tuluva cuisine, a coconut based gravy called gassi is paired with the Basella plant, making a delicacy called Basale gassi to be eaten with rice dumplings called pundi soaked overnight in the gravy, or with red rice. Some variations have tiny prawns, clams, horsegram or dried fish in the gravy as well. In Odisha, India, it is used to make Curries and Saaga. In the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India, it is used to make bhaji. It is also known as daento or valchi bhaji in Konkani.
A common Mangalorean dish is "Valchi bhaji and shrimp - curry". In Gujarat, fresh big and tender leaves are washed, dipped in besan mix and deep-fried to make crispy pakodas, popularly called "poi na bhajia". Beary Muslims of coastal Karnataka prepare Basalede kunhi pindi. In Bengali cuisine it is widely used both in a vegetable dish, cooked with red pumpkin, and in non-vegetarian dishes, cooked with the bones of the fish and may also be cooked with shrimps. In Andhra Pradesh, a southern state in India, a curry of Basella and Yam is made popularly known as Kanda Bachali Koora. Also it used to make the snack item bachali koora bajji.
Health benefits of poi leaf:
Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. It is rich in vitamins-A vitamin-C, iron and calcium. It has been shown to contain certain phenolic phytochemicals, and it has antioxidant properties. It is also called Malabar Spinach. There are two varieties - green and red.
Use of poi leaf:
The leaves of this vegetable are one of the main ingredients in an all vegetable dish called utan that is served over rice. It is usually cooked with sardines, onions, garlic, and parsley. In Mangalorean Tuluva cuisine, a coconut based gravy called gassi is paired with the Basella plant, making a delicacy called Basale gassi to be eaten with rice dumplings called pundi soaked overnight in the gravy, or with red rice. Some variations have tiny prawns, clams, horsegram or dried fish in the gravy as well. In Odisha, India, it is used to make Curries and Saaga. In the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India, it is used to make bhaji. It is also known as daento or valchi bhaji in Konkani.
Health benefits of poi leaf:
- Gastro protective: The mucilage content helps in smooth digestion, prevent the absorption of cholesterol and help in easy evacuation of stools.
- Rich in vitamin-A: Malabar spinach is rich source of vitamin-A. Food rich in Vitamin-A is good for vision, improve immunity, maintain the health of mucus membranes and skin.
- Anti-aging: The antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin helps to prevent aging process by protecting cell damage by free radicals.
- Anemia: The iron content is used by the body to produce Red blood cell (RBC). Malabar spinach in regular diet can help prevent iron deficiency anemia. Basella alba is used to treat calcium oxalate stones. it can reduce the size of the stone and help in eliminating the stone from urinary tract.
- Parts used: Leaf, stem,Root.
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